If these quiet lanes in Lutyens’ Delhi are New Delhi’s equivalent to corridors of power, then my guest this week is my favourite professor or guru of power politics. Former prime minister Deve Gowdaji, welcome to Walk the Talk.

I am happy that you have given me one more opportunity to convey my views through you to the people of this country. Thank you very much. 

•You agree that you are a guru and a master in realpolitik.

No, I can’t accept that. I have little experience in national politics. I have some experience in state politics. As far as Delhi politics is concerned, I am still a child. I can get some experience from you.

•From me? You can do better than that. You are a child who became the prime minister.

I am a child and that is why I was unable to run the country for more than 10 months and 20 days. Why did I lose? Did I commit any sin? Were there any corruption charges against my government? Was there any communal disharmony in the country? Why did my government lose? This means that I was unable to understand Delhi.

•You are the old fox of politics. How can you not understand Delhi?

Power brokers... the way they play; money has a role to play. I am not fit to be called a guru.

•That you leave to your chelas, because that’s why Mayawati comes to your home when she has a handful of MPs. The Left goes to her home when they have 63.

... contd.